TIB calls for urgent reforms to Information Commission

Dr Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), has stressed the urgent need to reform the Information Commission and amend the Right to Information Act.

He made the call during a discussion held on Saturday in observance of International Right to Information Day.

The event took place at the auditorium of the Information Commission, with theme focusing on "Integrating the Right to Information into the Core of the State and Ensuring Participation in the Public Sector."

Chairing the discussion, SM Kamrul Islam, director of the Information Commission, highlighted the importance of enhancing the commission’s capacity by increasing its workforce.

Dr Iftekharuzzaman emphasized that overhauling the Information Commission and revising the Right to Information Act are crucial for strengthening transparency and accountability in governance.

Additional Secretary Nazrul Islam from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said that the Right to Information Act was enacted to facilitate the free flow of information and ensure the public's right to access information.

He described the act as a vital tool for promoting good governance, saying: "It helps establish transparency, accountability, the rule of law, and participation, which are essential for building a happy, prosperous, and welfare state."

He also pointed out the necessity of raising public awareness about the Right to Information Act and advocated for its reform to better serve community interests.

The event featured a keynote presentation by Dr Mohammad Abdul Hakim, director general of the Directorate of Primary Education, and was attended by heads and representatives of various public and private organizations, government officials, journalists, and other invited guests.